Car camping tent suggestions

[Jong Lafitte]

I’ve been going back to more tent camping the last couple of years. Been sleeping in a 20+ yo 3 person Quest.

I’ve got the pad/sleeping bag game pretty dialed. Klymit insulated deluxe pad, lightweight 40 degree bag and a Teton Sports heavy 0 degree bag. I used to bring a queen sized foam topper mattress but the Klymit pad works pretty well. Big bag over the Klymit and small bag for a cover if needed.

My super old Quest tent sets up easy as fuck, I can literally have it up in five minutes. It has four poles that are shock corded to a central hub up top. Easy peasy.

Stashing it is just as easy, it rolls up with fly and poles and only takes minimal fussing to get into the smallish stuff sack.

After 20+ years the thing still functions fine but all of the zippers are problematic now. I’m tempted to take it in to a seamstress and see if they can fix my zippers…

If that plan falls through I’ll be looking for a new tent. The main purpose will be for river trips, something that will set up quick and take down easily. (Will be car camping for the most part with the occasional riverside float in camping.) Height and warmth are very secondary concerns, I climb into it drunk and don’t stand up. Been bringing a Mr. Buddy heater lately for cold trips, fire it up to go to bed and then in the morning. I’m solo so 3-4 person tents leaves me enough room to not burn down the tent with the heater.

I’m looking for something easy to set up, and will last a while. What you got?

Hehe late to the party did you get that zipper fixed?

Lots of freestanding 3 season 3p and 4p tents out there. I’d prolly rather a lower profile design for ease of setup including less frequent (ideally) need of wind and weather adjustments.

Marmot Tungsten 3p? (The not UL) Comes with footprint useful for rough car camp sites , polyester not as prone to sag in humid River areas, packable enough for a boat, good wind profile, two doors and ok sized vestibules seems like worth a look..

Kelty Discovery?

TNF stormbreak3








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[shroom]

this year i went with the very easy to set up option like splat. packable, not very, but i’m happy

https://gazelletents.com

[JayPowHound]

turns out I'm now in the market for a huge car camping tent.. the three room type I suppose. Those gazelles look nice, but are also all sold out. Hoping to keep it under $400 if possible without buying shit that will fall apart or let water in after a couple nights. Lots of good recommendations earlier in this thread, but most posts are 5+ years old.

Where should I be looking??

[rod9301]

Easy to set up tent: get one where the inner and rain fly are connected, do they set up together. This is also have in the rain, as the inner tent never gets wet

I use a tarptent, light and very roomy

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[Mr. Mike]

this year i went with the very easy to set up option like splat. packable, not very, but i’m happy

https://gazelletents.com

that looks pretty functional. You been in a rainstorm in it yet? That fly looks a little skimpy over the windows, but hard to tell how far it extends horizontally over the windows on the video. Of course, like everything else in any way related to the outdoors, it's sold out now, but maybe for later.

[shroom]

that looks pretty functional. You been in a rainstorm in it yet? That fly looks a little skimpy over the windows, but hard to tell how far it extends horizontally over the windows on the video. Of course, like everything else in any way related to the outdoors, it's sold out now, but maybe for later.

i missed this. first 4 nights were rain filled in the Ho Rain forest, pretty damp spot and it did well. no issues based on design so far. ihad been in a thicker canvas from ARB most nights over the past year and was concerned about stepping down in quality but i have no complaints, worth it if i have the room to haul

[Billow]

Anyone try a vertical or wedge roof tent diy modified to access from skylight or hole cut in topper? Figure one would need to attach flush.

[Cdrak]

I’ll give another vote for REI kingdom. We’ve got the 6 for family of 3 +2 dogs and it’s perfect.
Haven’t experienced wind issues others have mentioned but we’re aware it’s a downside.
Kingdom 4 would probably suit you well


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[SB]

Kelty sideroader, not used yet but set up is easy enough and it is usable in couple ways. Picked up two spare folding poles to make it free standing so vemhicle can be mobile. One shock cord was cut but Kelty hooked me up with a spare length of cord to replace if it happens again.

[m3e822]

An alternative would be sleeping in the car - for a car mattress, I recommend Luno, they make them custom to your car and are the size of a queen bed

[TheSumoChris]

I agree the older I get, truck bed camping beats the earth!

[mf5f6f]

I would highly recommend Truck Bed Tents if it's a truck, just build it directly in the back. Very convenient.

[costcofan]

The Big Agnes Copper Spur UL4 is a great tent for car camping and some moderate backpacking. Plenty spacious for car camping, but light enough to be carried for an overnighter, especially if you can split it between a few people.